Zorki 4 with no strap lugs

[ballfresno]

Hello! I just received a new (to me) Zorki 4, '73 vintage. Much to my surprise, it has no strap lugs. It does have a never-ready case (which is actually in mint condition) but I'm not a big user of cases.

When buying this camera, the last thing I though of asking was whether it had strap lugs or not. I had never imagined a camera without such.

So, my question is: can anybody please suggest a solution to this problem? I don't need to have a strap around my neck; a wrist strap solution is fine with me.

Oh, I did go out yesterday to shoot a test roll and I'm very happy with the camera. Rangefinder is spot on and shutter speeds seem fine. Some photos attached.

 

[Xmas]

Replace rivets securing the case front with pop fastners. Or buy a Zorki 2.

Noel

 

[wolves3012]

Nice pictures - the Zorki 4 is quite a usable camera. I think some of the early models had strap lugs but they disappeared fairly early on.

You could attach a wrist-strap to a tripod mount, maybe, but I think the Z4 is probably a bit large & heavy to have dangling on your wrist! Many people separate the case halves and use just the lower half. This gives a degree of knock-protection too.

 

[jobo]

I got mine, for the Zorki 4k, at http://www.electricedge.com/gordy_s_straps/store/wrist-tripod/index.htm
, a previous RFF sponsor. Works fine, except that it sticks out a bit too far.

2c, /J

 

[ballfresno]

Thanks all for the suggestions. A wrist strap might be possible. I do have one for my Minox 35 but it's too short. I do wonder if the Z4 is a little heavy for one, however.

Separating the case was my first thought but the front/top seems quite solidly attached to the body half, unlike the one (for instance) for my old Canon SLR which snaps on and off. I don't particularly want to destroy the case given the good condition its in. Maybe I should look around for an old case...

Thanks again!

 

[ballfresno]

I forgot to say: Noel, I am not sure I understand what you are suggesting. Which rivets?

oh, and buying a Z2 is not out of the question, of course! need to feed my GAS somehow 🙂

 

[kestas]

try to find old cheap non-working Mir or older Zorki-4 body and just replace the front part of the body. older Z-4 and Mir cameras was with strap lugs

 

[Xmas]

Eric
My Zorki cases have rivets securing the front flaps to body part, though some (others) might be stiched together.
Noel

 

[pshinkaw]

You can make a "U" shaped bracket out of aluminum bar material and attach it to the bottom of the Zorki with a tripod screw. Drill holes in the ends and put in split "O" rings to attach a neckstrap. I've been using an Agfa Karat 36 outfitted like that since 1968. The only tools you need are a hacksaw, a drill and two pairs of Vise-grip pliers.

Old Super-8 movie cameras are a good source of wrist straps if you are inclined to go that way.

If you arereally ambitious you can transplant a pair of strap lugs from another camera. The Zorki originals are actually built like rivets with a flared end. The nicer ones from an old Japanese camera are built like bolts with retaining nuts on the inside or are threaded into a tapped hole in the body.

-Paul

 

[ballfresno]

Thanks Noel, I understand now. The front flap is indeed rivetted. I think this will be the best approach and even if I destroy the case not much is lost (other than aesthetics...).

kestas and Paul, thanks for your suggestions. I don't have a hacksaw etc but I do have two old Z4's, one which I'm sure I could cannibalize. Is replacing the front part of the camera difficult? I'm a bit of klutz... 🙁

 

[Spyderman]

And this is my protest against Soviet cameras without strap-lugs:

 

[kestas]

I do have two old Z4's, one which I'm sure I could cannibalize. Is replacing the front part of the camera difficult?

no, it's not very difficult. just go to Zorki 4K - "HOW TO - CLA" thread here at FSU forum and see photos # 33-42.
p.s. about Mir camera. this camera has identical body, but without holes for self timer. so, if you need your self timer, you cant use front part from Mir.
btw, i like the way how Spyderman solved this problem

 

[HuubL]

The strap lugs (plus the more vintage looking window frames, the vulcanite instead of the nylon wrap, and the etched instead of printed logo and markings) made me choose a first series, 1958 Zorki 4. It cost me the sum of 30 euros 🙂, but I really like that camera!

BTW, Well-done Ondrej! Is it still light proof?

 

[Xmas]

Many FSU Fed and Zorki cases will probably fit your cameras, the snap rings would waste a nice case if the case is nice. leather worker may be the simplest solution.

Interchanging camera parts is not easy...

Noel

 

[Spyderman]

BTW, Well-done Ondrej! Is it still light proof?

There was no space inside for a nut, so I just cemented it to the shell... I used some 2-part slow epoxy and it's sturdy and light-tight 🙂

 

[ZorkiKat]

The first Zorki and FED did not have strap lugs, just like the Leica II. Lugs were introduced with the Zorki-2 and the later models, but even those which originally had strap lugs lost them in their later runs.

I believe the lugs were taken off these models starting 1968 or so. Note that the last FED-2 (which also had lugs) also didn't have them. Most likely as a production shortcut since the lugs were viewed as redundancies given that the cameras would be placed in cases which had lugs and straps themselves.

When purchasing a Zorki-4 (or FED-2), it's important to know what the production year of the camera was. The first two digits would tell this. Even among Zorki-4, those made before 68 or 69 would also determine whether the speeds marked on their shutter dials were engraved or printed. Obviously, the former would be more desirable,

Jay

 

[reagan]

My first Zorki.4 lacked lugs as well and I just KNEW I needed lugs. 😎 Since then (and several Zorkis later) I've found I never attach anything to lugs but have opted to converting cases to half-cases as mentioned above. Half-cases are much easier attached and removed than straps on lugs... IMHO.

edit: BTW, if the camera is working well, I don't know if I'd be swapping parts. Things (light leaks and such) could get complicated. Just a thought.